Does anyone have a recommendation for media to use for tumbling 223 brass? I currently use two sizes; one for 45 caliber plus and one for 30 caliber and up. The smaller stuff used for 30 cal is still too large and will jam in the 223 brass.

Take a look at the stainless steel media and the Thumbler's tumbler. You'll get a couple pieces stuck in the primer pocket (if you tumble after you deprime) but it will make old brass look very new. I'll give you more details if you like.

I've been using the SS method for three months. It's more involved than the usual methods but the results are well worth the extra effort. (Ask TR.) I just finished 1000 30.06 that look better than new. Everything is well explained on Sniper's Hide. I got the tumbler from the Hobby Lobby (cheapest per Google) and the media from the guy who popularized the method. The original source prefers to maintain his privacy so I'm sharing the contact info with all the usual caveats. Be nice to him, he passed the bona fides tests I used.

Marks information is "Confidential and is not to be republished in any form without his direct approval"

Terry

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Here's a 41pg thread from SniperHide on Stainless Steel Media. Suasponte (Terry) is very helpful if you have questions. I swiped the photos from that thread.

My recipe is Thumblers Tumbler Model B. I got mine from Cabelas. It's a faster tumbler than some others. They sell it for around $180.

I ordered my stainless media from Mark (per Peregrino's post).

I use a shot of Dawn dish detergent and a 9mm case full of LemiShine (you can find it at Target or Walmart in the dish detergent section).

Fill about half full of brass maybe a little more then usually around a gallon of water. It should be near the top. Media is already in the tumbler. Put the top on and let it run for about 3 hrs.

I got a Frankfort Arsenal media separator. I fill that bucket with water (which keep the media from flinging out when you spin the thing. Also get a good magnet (I pulled one out of an old hard drive) so you can pick up any media that falls on the floor.

I dry it under a work light in my garage and it looks like it's brand new. Even brass that sat in the weather for years looks good.

Like Peregrino's post, it takes a little longer but it does wonders to brass. Plus the media never wears out.

Sorry this is a little late. Take a look at an ultra sonic brass polisher. They are about $70.00 at Harbor Freight Salvage, up to $200.00 everywhere else. Use 50% distilled water, 50% white vinegar and a couple of drops of dish soap. Run for about 5 minutes.

This cleans out the carbon build-up on the inside of the case which results in more consistent pressures. This isn't important to the average shooter but if you are shooting competitive long range, it is important.

Sorry this is a little late. Take a look at an ultra sonic brass polisher. They are about $70.00 at Harbor Freight Salvage, up to $200.00 everywhere else. Use 50% distilled water, 50% white vinegar and a couple of drops of dish soap. Run for about 5 minutes.

This cleans out the carbon build-up on the inside of the case which results in more consistent pressures. This isn't important to the average shooter but if you are shooting competitive long range, it is important.

Guys - I had to change the thread title - every time I came upon it I had flashbacks to getting ready for Class A inspections, the XVlll ABC NCO Academy, and OCS.

Richard

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How many 223 cases can the ultrasonic polisher hold? I can only do about 40 308 cases in my old midway vibratory polisher at once. Using the small ceramic it takes about 30 minutes to clean a batch of moderately dirty cases. I might be able to do more if I had more media but the load might also be too heavy for the motor if I used more media with more cases. I have more of the large media and routinely clean 50 or so 50-90 or 45-110 cases. They clean quickly as well especially since the large diameters allow the media to really move around.

How many 223 cases can the ultrasonic polisher hold? I can only do about 40 308 cases in my old midway vibratory polisher at once. Using the small ceramic it takes about 30 minutes to clean a batch of moderately dirty cases. I might be able to do more if I had more media but the load might also be too heavy for the motor if I used more media with more cases. I have more of the large media and routinely clean 50 or so 50-90 or 45-110 cases. They clean quickly as well especially since the large diameters allow the media to really move around.

MVP

I have a both a hydrasonic cleaner and dry tumbler. I prefer the dry tumbler. I use to use the big chucks of ground up corn cobb and had the same problem you are experiencing with the particles getting stuck in the necks. I went to "Pets Mart" and purchased very fine walnut lizard litter for around $9.00. With the lizzard litterd I throw in a couple cap fulls of Dillions Rapid Shine. This has lasted me now for about a year and half. Since I started this, I have loaded around 5,000-6,000 rounds of .223, and still have about half a bag of lizzard litter left over.